Electric

DHL Acquires EV Maker for German Operations

December 17, 2014
• by Staff

Deutsche Post DHL, a postal and logistics group, signed an agreement to acquire StreetScooter GmbH, a former start-up that is committed to the mission of developing affordable electric vehicles. As a result of the agreement, which is still subject to antitrust approval, the company will also acquire the development and production rights to vehicles as well as the employees of StreetScooter GmbH. StreetScooter GmbH is a spin-off of RWTH Aachen and a consortium of approximately 80 industrial companies in the automotive industry and related sectors. It was established in 2010 and employs a staff of 70 at its base in Aachen, Germany. Since 2013, approx. 200 StreetScooters have been produced annually at the former Talbot/Bombardier plant in Aachen.

The first prototype of the StreetScooter was unveiled in 2012, and the first pre-series vehicles have been in service since 2013. About 20 vehicles are already included in the electric car fleet as part of the pilot project CO2-free deliveries in Bonn, Germany. In this project, Deutsche Post DHL is converting its entire mail and parcel operations in Bonn, where the company is headquartered, to electric mobility by 2016. Nearly 50 more StreetScooters are being used by various Deutsche Post sites across Germany. By 2015, approx. 100 StreetScooters will be in operation at Deutsche Post DHL, according to the company.

Investment in and the subsequent use of alternative drive systems significantly lowers CO2 road traffic emissions, according to the company.